Holding device

ABSTRACT

A holding device includes a handle, a first side section, and a second side section. Each section, the first and the second, are spaced from one another and connected to respective terminal ends of the handle. Each section presents an inner wall, and an outer wall, and a peripheral wall forming a housing. Each cam element presents a semicircular portion extending to a nose portion and a camming portion defining a teethed surface extending from a pick of the nose portion and partially to the semicircular portion. Each cam element includes a link device disposed about respective axis. The link device is connected to a rod extending to an activator device positioned below the handle. The activator device is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots defined in each section. A linking member is connected to each distal end and is also connected to each rod. Each linking member is movable upwardly and downwardly about the side channels defined in each section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for holding and transporting various parts, such as a piece of a glass, various boards, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Art is replete with various devices for carrying parts. One prior art teaches a carrying handle for packages, shopping bags or the like having wire or rope handles, characterized principally by elongated side walls which can be locked or latched when the carrying handle is to be used. Means are provided for retaining the wire or rope handle, including, in one form, retainer sections having abutting surfaces when the side walls are latched, and, in another form, lateral retainer members carried by one of the side walls and which can be pivoted into the interior of the carrying handle defined by the side walls. In the latter form, the retainer members are distorted or squeezed when moved between the side walls thereby preventing inadvertent withdrawal of the wire or rope handle from the carrying handle.

Another prior art teaches a handle grip and handle grip assembly for shopping baskets. A pair of identical handle grips are fabricated of molded plastic, each comprising a unitary body component and cover component connected by a hinge component. A handle element is seated in each body component and the corresponding cover component closes over the handle element and is locked to the body component. The cover components of the grips engage each other when the basket is carried and the weight of the basket increases the engagement force.

Alluding to the above, still additional prior art teaches a handle accessory for reversibly connecting to a handle of a container without detaching the handle from the container, the accessory having first and second sides connected by a hinge, a passage for the placement and retention of the handle, and an enclosure for the placement of items between the two sides. The handle accessory is configured to permit access to the enclosure without removal from a handle.

To the extent as being effective, there is always a need for new and improved devices for carrying parts. The present invention aims to solve this problem by simple and convenient means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A holding device includes a handle, a first side section, and a second side section. The handle may include a circular or oval cross section or a rectangular cross section. The shape of the handle is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Each section, the first and the second, are spaced from one another and connected to respective terminal ends of the handle. Each section presents an inner wall, and an outer wall, and a peripheral wall forming a housing. Each section presents a U-shaped configuration defining two extensions, extending to distal ends.

Each section includes respective cam elements pivotably connected about respective pivoting axis A and B at the respective distal ends.

Each cam element presents a semicircular portion extending to a nose portion and a camming portion defining a teethed surface extending from a pick of the nose portion and partially to the semicircular portion. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations of the cam elements maybe used without limiting the scope of the present invention. Each cam element includes a link device disposed about respective axis A and B. The link device is connected to a rod extending to an activator device positioned below the handle.

The activator device is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots defined in each section. The activator device includes distal ends. A linking member is connected to each distal end and is also connected to each rod. Each linking member is movable upwardly and downwardly about side channels defined in each section. In alternative embodiment of the present invention, a spring element is positioned about each axis A and B within each cam element. The spring element will return each cam element relative to one another after a user will release the activator device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a holding device for holding and moving parts between locations, said holding device comprising a body defining a handle, a first side section, and a second side section; an activator device located adjacent the handle. A part holding mechanism defined in the first side section and the second side section. The part holding mechanism presenting at least two cam elements spaced from one another and connected to the activator device, the cam elements are movable between a part receiving position as the part is inserted between the cam elements and a part holding position as the part is moving away from the handle thereby frictionally engaging the part between the cam elements and a part releasing position as the activator is pushed relative the handle to disengage the cam elements thereby releasing the part from the holding device.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide an innovative method for holding and carrying various flat objects such as a piece of glass, a piece of board, and the like.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide the innovative holding device for holding the flat objects, wherein the holding device is easy to manufacture and assembly and easy and convenient to use.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from inspection of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which an embodiment of the present invention is described and illustrated.

The exact manner in which the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved in practice will become more clearly apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention described in detail in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, where in like reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holding device of the present invention with a skateboard disposed in the holding device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holding device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the holding device in a surface engaging of an activated position;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the holding device in a released or a non-engaging position;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the holding device showing the skateboard extending between the holding elements;

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the holding device showing the skateboard extending between the holding elements securing the skateboard therebetween;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the holding device of the present invention with a board disposed in the holding device;

FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional view of the holding device showing the board extending between the holding elements securing the board therebetween; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holding device presented in a simplified fashion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the FIGS. 1 through 9, a holding device of the present invention is generally shown at 10. It will be apparent that multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present embodiments. The following description of embodiments includes references to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural, logical and operational changes can be made without departing from the scope of what is claimed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Alluding to the above, for purposes of this patent document, the terms “or” and “and” shall mean “and/or” unless stated otherwise or clearly intended otherwise by the context of their use. The term “a” shall mean “one or more” unless stated otherwise or where the use of “one or more” is clearly inappropriate. The terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” and “including” are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting. For example, the term “including” shall be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.”

Alluding to the above, the holding device 10 includes a handle 14, a first side section 16, and a second side section 18. The handle 14 may include a circular or oval cross section or a rectangular cross section. The shape of the handle 14 is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Each section, the first 16 and the second 18, are spaced from one another and connected to respective terminal ends 20 and 22 of the handle 14. Each section 16, and 18 presents an inner wall 24, and an outer wall 26, and a peripheral wall 28 forming a housing. Each section 16 and 18 presents a U-shaped configuration defining two extensions, generally indicated at 30 and 32, extending to distal ends 34 and 36.

Each section 16 and 18 includes respective cam elements 40 and 42 pivotably connected about respective pivoting axis A and B at the respective distal ends 34 and 36. Each cam element 40 and 42 presents a semicircular portion 44 extending to a nose portion 45 and a camming portion 46 defining a teethed surface 48 extending from a pick of the nose portion 45 and partially to the semicircular portion 44. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations of the cam elements 40 and 42 maybe used without limiting the scope of the present invention.

Each cam element 40 and 42 includes a link device 50 disposed about respective axis A and B. The link device 50 is connected to a rod 52 extending to an activator device 54 positioned below the handle 14. The activator device 54 is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots 56 defined in each section 16 and 18. The activator device 54 includes distal ends 60 and 62. A linking member 64 is connected to each distal end 60 and 62 and is also connected to each rod 52. Each linking member 64 is movable upwardly and downwardly about side channels 68 and 70 defined in each section 16 and 18.

In alternative embodiment of the present invention, a spring element 72 is positioned about each axis A and B within each cam element 40 and 42. The spring element 72 will return each cam element 40 and 42 relative to one another after a user U will release the activator device 54. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configuration of the activator devices 54 may be used without limiting the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified version of the holder device 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other modifications and designs of the holder device 10 may be used and the design shown in Figures of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The holding device 10 may be fabricated from plastic, wood, metal, rubber, and combination thereof. The most important aspect of the present invention is mechanism that allows to perform a surface engagement and holding functions.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the holding device 10 showing the skateboard S extending between the cam elements 40 and 42. FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the holding device 10 showing the skateboard S extending between the cam elements 40 and 42 securing the skateboard S therebetween. FIG. 5 shows the skateboard S entering the holding device 10 as being inserted between the cam elements 40 and 42. FIG. 6 shows the skateboard S fully inserted in the holding device 10 between the cam elements 40 and 42.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the holding device 10 in a surface engaging of an activated position. FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the holding device 10 in a released or a non-engaging position. Referring to FIG. 3, The rods 52 extend to the activator device 54 positioned below the handle 14. The activator device 54 is moved downwardly within the slots 56 defined in each section 16 and 18. The linking members 64 are movable upwardly and downwardly about the side channels 68 and 70 defined in each section 16 and 18 in order to open the cam elements 40 and 42 and either release the skateboard S or other part P to hold the skateboard S or the other part P between the cam elements 40 and 42 during moving of the part P or the skateboard S between locations as shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A holding device for holding and moving parts between locations, said holding device comprising: a body defining a handle, a first side section, and a second side section; an activator device located adjacent said handle; a part holding mechanism defined in said first side section and said second side section, said part holding mechanism presenting at least two cam elements spaced from one another and connected to said activator device, said cam elements movable between a part receiving position as the part is inserted between said cam elements and a part holding position as the part is moving away from said handle thereby frictionally engaging the part between said cam elements and a part releasing position as said activator is pushed relative said handle to disengage said cam element thereby releasing the part from said holding device.
 2. The holding device of claim 1, wherein said handle includes terminal ends.
 3. The holding device of claim 2, wherein said first side section and said second side section each presenting an inner wall, an outer wall, and a peripheral wall forming a housing, said first side section and said second side section presenting a U-shaped configuration defining two extension parts each extending to distal ends.
 4. The holding device of claim 3, wherein said first side section and said second side section include two of said cam elements pivotably connected about respective pivoting axis at the respective distal ends.
 5. The holding device of claim 1, wherein each said cam elements presenting a semicircular portion extending to a nose portion and a camming portion defining a teethed surface extending from a pick of said nose portion and partially to said semicircular portion.
 6. The holding device of claim 1, wherein each of said cam elements including a link device disposed about respective axis connected to a rod extending to said activator device.
 7. The holding device of claim 1, wherein said activator device is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots defined in each said first side section and said second side section.
 8. The holding device of claim 1, including a linking member connected to each distal end of said activator device and connected to each rod, each said linking member movable upwardly and downwardly about side channels defined in each of said first side section and second side section.
 9. The holding device of claim 1, including a spring element positioned about each axis within each said cam element to return each said cam element relative to one another after said activator device is released.
 10. A holding device for holding and moving parts between locations, said holding device comprising: a body defining a handle, a first side section, and a second side section; an activator device located adjacent said handle; a part holding mechanism defined in said first side section and said second side section, said part holding mechanism presenting at least two cam elements spaced from one another and connected to said activator device, said cam elements movable between a part receiving position as the part is inserted between said cam elements and a part holding position as the part is moving away from said handle thereby frictionally engaging the part between said cam elements and a part releasing position as said activator is pushed relative said handle to disengage said cam element thereby releasing the part from said holding device; said handle including terminal ends; said first side section and said second side section each presenting an inner wall, an outer wall, and a peripheral wall forming a housing, said first side section and said second side section presenting a U-shaped configuration defining two extension parts each extending to distal ends; said first side section and said second side section including two of said cam elements pivotably connected about respective pivoting axis at the respective distal ends, each of said cam elements presenting a semicircular portion extending to a nose portion and a camming portion defining a teethed surface extending from a pick of said nose portion and partially to said semicircular portion; each of said cam elements including a link device disposed about respective axis connected to a rod extending to said activator device; said activator device is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots defined in each said first side section and said second side section; a linking member connected to each distal end of said activator device and connected to each rod, each said linking member movable upwardly and downwardly about side channels defined in each of said first side section and second side section; and a spring element positioned about each axis within each said cam element to return each said cam element relative to one another after said activator device is released. 